Chinese online travel service provider Ctrip.com has announced plans to set up a travel agency in Beijing to seize business from the traditional travel agencies.
Named Beijing Ctrip Travel Agency, Ctrip's new company will launch overseas group tour products, excluding FIT, to seize the high-end tourist market that yields higher profits.
Yang Tao, vice president of Ctrip.com who is responsible for hotel and resort service, told local media the profit for high-end overseas trips is basically guaranteed, though the profit from traditional travel agencies' tour groups has been on the decline in recent years.
As Ctrip.com has strict requirement on the quality standards of overseas trips, the price will be 10%-15% higher than that of similar products from other companies. Currently, there are over 10 overseas travel routes available.